To leave the care sector and drive a milk truck?

[Atmywitsend29]

Semi light hearted.

I've worked really hard the last two years to progress in my career within the care sector, and I am now Care Team Leader (Head of Care). Now I'm here, I don't want it anymore?
Working through the pandemic has ruined this sector for me,for an enormous amount of reasons. I've worked in care for 11 years. I'm very skilled, I'm good at my job, I have a couple of specialist areas within the limits of my role. But I don't want to be here anymore. I don't want to be in this industry.

So, should I just leave and go and drive a milk float for a living?

If your heart isn’t in it then by all means explore other options - be that driving a milk float, or something where you could use some of the expertise you’ve built up - but do you think you maybe just need a break? I can’t imagine how hard the past 2 years must have been for you

LTJ

Like leave the bastard but leave the job. Life is FAR too fleeting to be miserable

My only hope is that as the care sector is highlighted as underfunded and overstretched things will improve, how bad it has to get beforehand is the worrying part.
I think people will be leaving in droves for other job opportunities.

This is the second thread tonight about leaving the care sector.

If you can get more money driving a milk float do it.

The care sector shouldn't be run by private businesses and the staff should be paid a decent wage for doing the job.

Anything I left to do would be a pay cut due to the senior position I'm currently at, but I know what I need to earn to pay my share of the rent and household stuff so I don't really mind the reduced wage.

I went to hospice for a break from the care sector, because its a different environment and a different type of healthcare but the same issues are there too, and also in the NHS.

Part of me feels guilty because I know the sector is on its knees. I know we have no staff. I'd retire, but I'm only 29

LTJ

There are times when I want to leave the care sector, which I've worked in for nearly 30 yrs. Well 12 yrs in a hospital, 2 yrs with an agency and now 16+ yrs in a care home. I'm 52 and no nothing else, worked my way up in that time.

I never thought I'd leave tbh, but here we are.

Okay, I've applied for a few jobs in the domestic abuse sector because I have experience volunteering in it, and a telephone job with my local fire service because why not!

Why not do your nurse training?

When you do your financial planning include money for saving for a rainy day and pension and a few treats as well as just the basic.

IIf those will be covered and you know the food and the bad of the jobs you are applying for go for it. If you change your mind then I’m sure you would be able to get a new job in the care sector (would you be able to get back at the same level?)

Food not good

Life is too short. Leave the job. You're young. You'll soon work your way up in something ekse

I've left the care sector and will never go back. They want so much from you for nmw its only going to get worse

I was going to write a post myself about leaving my job and asking what else I could do. I've had a few days off and had a massive cry this morning about how much I do not want to go back in today. I can't face it anymore. I don't want another day where I just cry.

Would keep looking until you find something better paid than your current role and/or with a path to better pay, pension etc. Then go for that.

To clarify, I work NHS. I really do empathise, OP

I really don't want to be a nurse tbh. It's never appealed to me.

Yeah if I changed my mind I could get another job at the same level I'm at now. But I really don't think I'll change my mind, not now.

Nursing is very versatile though with loads of different jobs open to you that aren’t the typical nurse jobs in hospitals and care homes.

flashpaper what an awful situation to be in. I know exactly how you feel, I felt like that in my last two settings. Began to realise its the sector, not the setting.

Definitely apply for jobs that interest you, and if you want a complete break (totally reasonable for an intense job like caring, I think) then driving a milk float for a while could be fun!

If you have a partner, obviously you need to discuss any drop in income with them, but any partner worth staying with will want you to be happy at work.

You're not letting your workplace down if you leave before you get burnt out.

Get a new job in nhs

My husbands very supportive, we've agreed that as long as my earnings don't drop below a certain amount then it doesn't matter. We've always lived on the bare minimum so now we are both earning above nmw we are comfortable, I can drop down and it won't bother us much.

I know it sounds awful but I wouldn't work in the NHS, not now.

Am trying to apply for things that interest me, I've only ever gone for jobs in healthcare that would further my career and experience. Whereas now, I could do anything! (anything that's not 13 hour shifts anymore!)

Ltj. Not worth it if getting you stressed. I left my NHS job and feel better re stress now so approached them again to be told they vvv stressed and if I can avoid it stay away but I'd be welcomed back with open arms. I'm waiting for the moment. I miss colleague s and the patient s but the lack of time to go to the toilet, eat, do the job properly...no I don't miss.